The Dew Breaker

From the universally acclaimed author of Breath, Eyes, Memory and Krik? Krak!, a brilliant, deeply moving work of fiction that explores the world of a "dew breaker", a torturer, a man whose brutal crimes in the country of his birth lie hidden beneath his new American reality.

I had a hard time with this one. I think there was a great story in there, but I am not sure. I was pretty confused, unsure who was who and how they related to each other. Maybe if I listened again things would snap into place and I might add a star or even two. But from just one listen I was kind of frustrated.

The Woman in White

One of the greatest mystery thrillers ever written, Wilkie Collins's The Woman in White was a phenomenal best seller in the 1860s, achieving even greater success than works by Charles Dickens. Full of surprise, intrigue, and suspense, this vastly entertaining novel continues to enthrall audiences today.

I enjoyed every word and throughout the book I could not wait to find out what would happen next. This is one of those books you do not want to stop listening to. The characters were fun and interesting and very well developed. Somehow, even trivial events in this book are written in a way that makes them intriguing. Highly recommended.

Mercy

Police chief Cameron McDonald has lived in idyllic Wheelock, Massachusetts, for most of his life, as has his beloved wife, Allie. Their lives are thrown into tumult, however, when Cam's cousin, Jamie, arrives in town, along with his wife's dead body. Jamie admits to the murder: a mercy killing to end the pain caused by a ravaging cancer. And now Cam is torn by his oath to uphold justice and his family obligations. Meanwhile, another new arrival in town threatens to drive a dagger through Cam's marriage.

Atonement

In Atonement, three children lose their innocence, as the sweltering summer heat bears down on the hottest day in 1935, and their lives are changed forever. Cecilia Tallis is of England's priviledged class; Robbie Turner is the housekeeper's son. In their moment of intimate surrender, they are interrupted by Cecilia's hyperimaginative and scheming 13-year-old sister, Briony. And as chaos consumes the family, Briony commits a crime, the guilt of which she shall carry throughout her life.

This book was beautifully written. The reader is one of my favorites on audible (she was one of the readers of "The Thirteenth Tale", my favorite audible book to date). The story was long, bittersweet, slow - something to savor over a cup of tea with a warm blanket, or sit on the porch with a cup of coffee. I can't wait to see the movie!

The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios

Here are four unforgettable stories by Yann Martel, the New York Times best-selling author of Life of Pi. In the exquisite title novella, a very young man dying of AIDS joins his friend in fashioning a story of the Roccamatio family of Helsinki, set against the yearly march of the 20th century.

"Life of Pi" is one of my favorite books of all time. I listened to it twice. The reader is outstanding. So, while I knew this would be completely different I was hoping to like it at least half as much. I just could not get drawn in. I could not finish it. (I hate not finishing books).

My Sister's Keeper

New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

I really enjoyed this listen. I found that as the book went on I enjoyed it more and more. It slowly drew me in. I thought it was very intense because it was a story that could happen in real life, and I don't think there is a right answer to the situation. I don't want to say much more and give it away.

The Photograph: A Novel

Booker Prize¿winning novelist Penelope Lively's latest masterpiece opens with a snapshot: Kath, before her death, at an unknown gathering, holding hands with a man who is not her husband. The photograph is in an envelope marked "DON'T OPEN - DESTROY." But Kath's husband does not heed the warning, embarking on a journey of discovery that reveals a tight web of secrets within marriages, between sisters, and at the heart of an affair.

I really want to give this 3.5 but since that is not possible I made it a 4. I felt a bit unsatisfied at the end of this one because I did not feel like I had enough answers. That may be the point, the book asking the question, "Do we ever really know anyone?". I'm sure many times we don't even when we think we do. Sometimes I don't mind when the book leaves more questions than it answered, but this one left me wanting a bit more.

On Beauty

Set on both sides of the Atlantic, Zadie Smith's third novel is a brilliant analysis of family life, the institution of marriage, intersections of the personal and political, and an honest look at people's deceptions. It is also, as you might expect, very funny indeed.

This audiobook was okay. The narration is good. One of my problems with it is that I didn't like any of the characters much. This was very long, and kind of predictable. I was just kind of glad when I finished it and haven't given it much thought ever since then.

Light on Snow

Snowshoeing over crusted snow in the woods near their home, 12-year-old Nicky Dillon and her father come upon something shocking. There, in the pristine winter scene, an abandoned baby wails, its survival made possible only by the coincidence of their having chosen this path for their late afternoon outing.

I love Anita Shreve's books and this was another winner. The story is told from the point of view of a young girl who is wise beyond her years yet still just an innocent child. She gets caught up in a dramatic event that deeply affects her. I wanted to know more about what happened later, but otherwise I found this to be a great listen.

Water for Elephants

Why we think it’s a great listen: Some books are meant to be read; others are meant to be heard – Water for Elephants falls into the second group, and is one of the best examples we have of how a powerful performance enhances a great story. Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It's the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.

This story is both beautiful and horrible. There were times when I was cringing as I listened due to the brutality of some of the circus workers in the depression era. Some may find it hard to listen to for that reason. but it is a beautifully written and narrated novel. And the ending was just what I needed!

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Dexter Morgan appears to be the perfect gentleman. He is handsome and polite, and has been in a relationship for nearly a year and a half. Yet appearances can be deceiving, for Dexter is a serial killer who has slain many people. But in this tale, he's the good guy, for there is one little twist: Dexter only snuffs out other murderers. When another serial killer, with an eerily similar style, starts grabbing headlines, Dexter has a fairly morbid thought. Am I being challenged?

The main character is the most likable bad guy character I've come across. While I found the story to have too many cliches and I wasn't exactly hooked, I enjoyed listening to it. For what it is worth, this is not my usual genre. For anyone that really enjoys thrillers it would not hurt to give this one a try.

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